Life Insurance Trust Essay

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Understanding Life Insurance Trusts

1. What is the purpose of a life insurance trust?
You maintain more influence over your insurance plans with an irrevocable life insurance trust. You also have control over the funds that are paid out from them. Additionally, it allows you to minimize or in many cases erase estate taxes, as a result, a greater portion of your estate can be left to those you love.
2. Estate taxes, what are they?
These are not the same as, and over and above, probate costs and last income taxes that are owed on the earnings you obtain in the year of your death. Federal estate taxes are costly (traditionally 45-55%) and they have to be paid out in cash, typically within 9 months following your death. Since only a handful of …show more content…

Can I name another person as an insurance policy owner on my behalf?
Let's say your partner or grownup child, has a life insurance policy and passes away before you, the money/termination worth is going to be in their taxable estate. That wouldn't be very helpful.
However, and more to the point, if the policy is owned another person, you relinquish control. This individual might replace the named beneficiary, take out the money value, and maybe terminate the policy, resulting in you having no insurance coverage. You might have confidence in this individual today, but you might have issues down the road. The insurance policy might possibly be garnished as a way to pay off the other person's creditors. It is more secure to have an insurance trust; it allows you to minimize estate taxes and maintain control.
10. How do I get control with an insurance trust?
If you use an insurance trust, the policy is owned by the trust. The chosen trustee has to adhere to the guidelines you set up your trust. Having your insurance trust as the policy's beneficiary, this gives you additional control over the …show more content…

Can I alter the trust?
Insurance trusts are irrevocable, which usually implies you are unable to alter it. But, as per the Uniform Trust Code (UTC) along with decanting stipulations in certain states, it might be possible to make alterations. Nevertheless, it is best to go over the trust documentation thoroughly prior to signing it.
16. When is the best time to establish an insurance trust?
It is possible to establish one anytime, however, since it is an irrevocable trust most people put it off until they are between 50 and 60 years old. By that time, family relationships are often established. If you wait around too long; you might not be able to get insurance. And keep in mind, should you transfer current insurance policies to the irrevocable trust, following the transfer, you have to live 3 years for it to be valid.
17. Do I need to get professional help?
That would be a great idea. Do you believe an irrevocable insurance trust might be worthwhile to your family? Consult with an insurance specialist, estate planning lawyer, CPA or corporate trustee with working knowledge about these trusts.
18. Life Insurance Trust

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